MERIDIAN, Miss. (Queen City Newsfeed) — Love Out Loud Meridian is underway this week, bringing together more than thirty area churches for a week of community service across the city.
Volunteers were out in full force Tuesday, bringing snow cones, popcorn, cotton candy and hamburgers to residents at Old Marion Road Apartments as part of the event.
Jay Nelson, Director of Missions and Outreach at Northcrest Baptist Church and coordinator of Love Out Loud, said events like Tuesday’s gathering are meant to show a different side of Meridian.
“So much of what we see going on in the world is bad, and there is a lot happening,” Nelson said. “I think it is good to have some positivity in the community where people can say there are good things in Meridian going on, and there are good churches in Meridian that cares about our community, serves, and goes out to meet, pray and help people.”
Nelson said Love Out Loud typically draws around 1,100 volunteers from area churches each year. He encouraged anyone interested in joining the effort to come to Northcrest Baptist Church at 8 a.m., check in at the back of the building, and sign up for a ministry for the day. Lunch and a devotional are provided, and Nelson said the process is designed to make it easy for anyone to participate, regardless of experience.
Volunteer Logan Quigley said he took part because of his faith.
“I know how God loves me, and I want other people to experience that,” Quigley said. “I love my community, I love the people I live around, and I want to come out here and show them that love by talking to them, feeding them and ministering to them by spreading the love of God.”
For residents at Old Marion Road Apartments, the visit left a lasting impression. Martha Coleman said the turnout of volunteers meant a great deal to her community.
“It is a great atmosphere,” Coleman said. “They are coming out and showing Christ’s love, showing that they aren’t intimidated by color, and that social standing doesn’t matter. People coming together and demonstrating what Christ and our heavenly Father is all about. It is a beautiful thing.”
Fellow resident Rolinda Overstreet echoed that sentiment.
“This has been a blessing, and it is beautiful what they are doing for my community,” Overstreet said.
The outreach will continue Tuesday evening with a free grocery giveaway at Highland Park at 5 p.m.
Love Out Loud began the week Sunday, July 12 with a special worship service at Northcrest Baptist Church, featuring guest speaker Chip Luter. Luter serves as Senior Associate Pastor at Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans, working alongside his father, Fred Luter Jr. He is also speaking each morning during Love Out Loud’s daily assemblies.
Ministry projects continue Monday through Friday, beginning at 8 a.m. at the Northcrest Baptist Gym, located at 3412 North Hills Street. Volunteers check in at the Kid’s Building lobby, enjoy a light breakfast, and browse sign up tables to choose from more than twenty ministry opportunities before heading out for the day. Lunch is provided based on each volunteer’s ministry assignment, and most projects wrap up by 2 p.m. Those who cannot make the morning schedule may ask about limited afternoon opportunities available from 1 to 4 p.m. by texting the LOL Help Line at 601 265 1034.
This year’s ministries include food distribution and outreach, a Boys & Girls Club sports camp run with FCA, the Gotcha Covered mobile clothing trailer, a grilling ministry paired with a block party for children, school prayer visits, the Agape random acts of kindness ministry, work with the Meridian Housing Authority, lawn maintenance for residents in need, light renovation work at The SPOT, and door to door evangelism throughout the city. On Tuesday night, volunteers are also needed for the Limitless VBS, a special needs event for multiple churches.
The Center for Pregnancy Choices is also benefiting from Love Out Loud volunteers this week, with cleanup and organizational help provided Monday and a sidewalk giveaway of clothing and other items planned for Wednesday.
Organizers say no experience is necessary to take part, and there is a role for volunteers of all ages. Childcare is available at Northcrest for children age 3 and under from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. for those who register in advance. Anyone planning to volunteer is encouraged to pre register at lolmeridian.com to speed up the check in process.
Those who cannot serve in person still have ways to get involved. An Amazon gift list is available for those who want to purchase supplies for ministry work, and donated items can also be dropped off at Northcrest Baptist Church. The public can also give through the LOL Gear online store.
A Stand for Orphans lemonade stand was also set up outside the Northcrest main entrance Sunday morning, with proceeds benefiting a local family in the process of adopting a child from India.
Love Out Loud began in 2013 as a single church’s effort to organize mission projects across Meridian. The event has grown each year since, now drawing more than thirty participating churches. The concept has also spread beyond Meridian, with Neshoba and Scott counties now hosting their own local Love Out Loud events.
For more information or to sign up to volunteer, visit lolmeridian.com.